What Is Buspirone Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Buspirone Work?

Buspirone is not related to any other anxiety medications. Unlike most anxiety medications, it is not useful for preventing seizures, relaxing muscles, or treating insomnia. It is also less likely than most other medications to cause drowsiness.
 
It is not known exactly how buspirone works to treat anxiety, although it is known that the drug affects several chemicals in the brain. In particular, buspirone likely affects serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
 

Is Buspirone Used in Children?

Buspirone has been shown to be safe and effective for treating generalized anxiety disorder in children 6 to 17 years old. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
 

Is Buspirone Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend buspirone for treating something other than anxiety. Currently, using the drug to help with aggressive behavior and hyperactivity in children with autism is considered an off-label use.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;